Convertible furniture.



IW, E. HAIIIN. CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE. APPLICATION FILED IuLYzz, IsIs.

W. E. HANN.

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE.

APPLlcATxoN min :uw 22. 1915.

Patented Feb. 20,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w. E.. HANN.- ACONVERTIBLE FURNITURE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. |915.

W. E. HNN.

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE.

Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 W. E. HANN.

`CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE.

APPLICATION F|LEDJuLY'22.1915.

Patented Feb.2o,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WILLIAM E. HANN, 0F CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PULLMAN COUCH COMPA OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

v CONVERTIBLE URNITRE.

To all Hwm 'it may concern:

le it known thatI, WILLIAM E. HANN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented Certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Furniture, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that type of sofa beds, bed davenports, and the like, in which the bed bottom when folded is' disposed behind the back and seat and is pulled forward in converting the device into a bed.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a convertible bed device 'of the kind adapted for embodiment in either sofa or ldavenport form, and which may be arranged for mounting 1n an aperture 1n the Wall of a room so ,as to constitutea combination wall-bedand sofa or davenport; to provide a neat and compact piece of furniture of small size both in depth and height, and which gives noindication that it` is convertible into a. bed; to provide such a piece of furniture with a deep seat having long npl lstering springs, thereby providing aluX rions `yielding seat; to provide such an arrangement of seat and sofa in there is no vaste space, it being all occupied by the seat and bed sections when folded; to provide such a device having few parts andwhich can be manufactured at a comparatively' low cost; to provide such a device which may be easily operated by a woman or child and requiringr but few motions in converting'from sofa to bed form;

Ito provide improved means for spacing the bed bottom away from the seat when eX- tendedto utilize the full action of the springbcd bottom; to provide improved means for breaking the joints ofthe bed sections when the device is being folded back to its sofa form; to provide improved knock-down means permitting the sofa seat to be readily demountable; to provide improved `automatic. means for locking the outer bed Sections in folded relation; to provide improved means for supporting the inner connecting section in bed position; and to provide an the vsofa back, whereseetions where-l Specication of Letters Patent. lltnted Feb, 20, 1917, Application filed July 22, 1915. Serial No. 41,251.

tion are shown in the accompanying draw ings, in which- Figure l is a side view of a sofa bed with the near end of the sofa frame removed, and with the bed sections`V part-ly extended, the relative positions of the parts when closed in sofa form being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line B-B of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a bed davenport with the near end of the frame removed and with the Sections extended in bed form. Closed position of this embodiment is shown indotted outline.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line C-C of Fig. 4.

Fig.'6 is a section on the line D-D of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention in which the sofa bed is built into an aperture in the wall'of a room in such manner as to present the appearance of an ordinary sofa set close` against the wall.

F ig. 8 is a section on the line E-E of Fig. 7.

' Fig. 9 is Fig. 7. Y

F ig.` 1() is a` fragmentary detail showing the embodiment of Fig. 7 mounted in a. sofa frame.

a section on the line F-F of Fig. 1l is a side elevation of the bed sections--of the sofa form when in their fully extended position.

Fig. 1Q is an enlarged detail of the main and foot sections in folded relation with the locking members securing them together.

` the back and supporting legs when in bed by it will be spaced away from the spring bed bottoml when in its extended form, and

will fit snugly against said bedbottom when -in its sofa form.

Illustrative embodiments of this invenform.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the locking device shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 16 is a. plan on the line G-G of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a front elevation of one of the mounting plates which are secured to the inner sides of the upright ends of the sofa frame.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1, a

rl`hese mounting plates, asbest shown in F igs.` 2 and 17, are provided with a U- shaped flanged recess 4 having an open mouth 5 of substantially vthe same size as the recess. A stud 6 is alsoprovided on the plate 3 and is located above and slightlyforward of the recess 4.

A deep framed-sofa seat 7, equipped with long upholstering springs 8, is disposed between the ends 1 and is provided with plates l 9 mounted on the ends thereof and so located as tovbe substantially opposite the plates 3 on the ends 1. Supporting means for the'seat is provided, and comprises a short, heavy stud 10, preferably formedintegrally with 'the plate 9, havinga head 11 of substantially the same size as the recess 4 formed on vthe end thereof and shaped so as to be readily inserted in and removedv from said recess through the mouth 5. Further support for the seat when in its normal sofa position is provided by one of the connecting members 2.

Mounting of the seat in this lmanner permits of its pivotal rotation in a forward direction substantially 90 degrees until the' front of the seatrests upon the floor, as

shown'` in fulllines in Fig. 1, thereby limiting the forward rotation of the seat and bringing the seat into positionvso as to bear-upon the floor and assist in the slip-` porting of the bed sections whenv in their bed position. The sofa seat isso constructed that the upholstering on the top thereof extends to and fits snugly against the ilp- 'riglit ends 1, as shown in Fig.' 9, and the mounting plates and other mechanism are thereby entirely' obscured from the most minute observerwhen the device 1s in lts sofa form.

je ',The bed bottom comprises a main section 12, a head section 13, a large connecting section 14 therefor, a foot section 15,' and a small connecting 'section 16. A pair of supporting arms 17 are mounted one on each side of the main section 12 and extend formounting plates 3.

. i secured 1n a vertieal,` position to tlie sofa frame at the rearward extremity thereof. Supporting means for the head section when in bed form, and'means'for breaking the joint 21 when the sections are to be folded, are provided and coinprise a pair of members 22 and 23. M' ber 22 is preferably a piece of angle iro rigidly attached to the end 1 with the ou standing flange thereof on the iipperconv xly curved side, and the member 23 is a sii'nilar angle iron with the outstanding flange on the coiicavely curved upper and 'front side and isvpivotally `attached, at its upper end 2-l to the sofa frame end 1, the lower end 25 being shaped tonormally rest upon the flange of the inember 22.

The connecting' section 1l is provided with a spacing bar 26`of the usual form and with a link 27 pivotally attached thereto at shifting to the left, in Fig. 1, of the bed' sections relatively to theseat when being spaqed away therefrom. l

sofa back. 31 is mounted on and Carried'l by the foldable bed sections by means of a bracket 32 rigidly secured to the rear side of the back and provided with a slot 33 adapted to receive a stud 3l on the main section 12. When the device is in sofa form this slot lexitends downwardly and rearwardly from the sofal` back at an angle of about 45 degrees. .Theivyeight of the back when in this position causes it to fit closely and snugly against th bed section, and when in bed form to beispaced away from said section as shown iny full lines in Fig. 1, thereby permitting full action of the` spring bed bottom. rlhe other end 'of lthe. liark is supp'jorted'by a cord or strap, 35 when the relatlpii with the main section. l2 by means4 of lo king members 36 and 37 pivotally attaehel to the sections at 3S and 39 respectively; (See Figs.l 12 and 13). 'lhe inember 3( s in the forni of a lever, ani] is providedlat one end thereof with a.v slot 4() ha v ing a. rei-.ess -ll iii the uppei' end thereof forming a shoulder, l2 aiid provided at its at 73 with a pivotally mounted curved liik 43. 'lhe locking meiii'ber 37 has sliding connection with the member 36 by means of a pair of headed sti'fls 44 and 45 mounted at the upper end thereof a'ii'd shaped to slide in the slot `40.l

Supportiirfr legs 46 foi' the iliuter bed sections are comiected together by a brace 5.7'

and ai'e pivoted lo the foot section at 47, and the cui-vid lilik 43 is lpivotcd thereto at 48. ,if

A bedding i,

yastener clamppeQ-of usual v member 23 and after nales form is mounted on the end of the foot section at 58, and a spring 50 attached to the foot section is connected therewith to supply the necessary tension for holding the bedding during the folding operation. The short connecting section 16 is provided with a spacing bar 51 of the usual form. When the device is in sofa form this spacingbar is in' position to be en aged by a latch 52 mounted on the sofa 'rame on the under side of the top connecting member 2., A push button 53 is arranged to operate the latch when it is desired .to release the sections. Spring 54 is employed to autoiiiatcally closethe latch when the sections are being folded. f

A lifting 'spring is attached to the lower `connecting member 2 and to the under side of the sofa seat frame at 5G to assist in unfolding the device. f

The operation for converting the device from a. sofa to a bed is as follows: v

The operator first presses the button 53, thereby raising the latch 52 and releasing the spacing bar 51, thus permitting the lifting spring 55 to rotate the seat and bed bottom forward somewhat on their respective pivots. The operator then grasps the upper part of the bed bottom, back or spacing bar 51 and pulls forwardly. The joint 21 between the headv and large connecting section is limited to degrees in closing, and when the main section is lifted upwardly it carries the head section therewith, the bearing 19on the end of the head section resting and traveling upon the support 2O until the main section is half Way open. Upon further rotation of the main section, the head and connecting sections begin to straighten and to assume a horizontal posi tion until the bearing 19 comes in lcontact with and rides upon the outstanding flange of the suppcrting member 22. The bearing 19, passing over the flange of the member 22, contacts with and raises up the pivoted the bearing 19 has passed under the end of the member 23, said member again assumes its normal position by gravity. The guide studs 18 on the frame of the sofa seat eoact with and lift up onthe arms 17 during this forward rotation, and also permit the arms to slide therebetween, whereby the mainsection 12 is spaced apart from the back of the seat When in open position, thus permitting free action of the spring bed bottom. During this spacin awav movement, the bed sections are carrie to the left in Fig. 1 relatively of the seat, causing the connecting link 27 to assume a nearlyvertical position for supporting the section 14. The back 31 slides downwardly from the bed section 12, when in this position, a. suiicient distance to permit action of the spring bed bottom. The operator then grasps the cross and forwardly away Athe locking member 3G bar 57 which connects the legs 46 and lifts upwardly thereon. This initialunfolding of the legs unlocks the members 3G and 37 as shown in Fig.v 13, and a further lifting on the legs or on the foot section 15 iin-folds- The link 43,

pivotal center 58 it will be held in unfolded position as shown in Fig. 11.

The operation for folding the bed is as follows: The operator folds in the bedding fastener and grasps the end of the foot section, lifts upwardly thereon, folding the same over upon the main section l2 to the position shown in Fig. 13. The weight of the legs and connecting brace when folded over in this manner will by gravity automatically press downwardly 'and cause the link 43 to swing the slotted end of the member 36 to the right, in Fig.`12, thereby engaging the stud 45 behind the shoulder 42 as shown in said figure. The points of attachnientr of the leg 46 to section 15 at 47 and of the link 43 to the leg at 48 and to at 73, are so arranged that when the legs`are in position the line of tension will be moved upward past the pivot 47 and the leg `and members 36 and 37 will be locked in this position by their own tension.

The spacing bar 51 is then vgrasped by the operator, lifted upwardly, backwardly toward the sofa frame,tliereby causing the bearing 19 to ride up the iiiclined surface of the lnember 23, breaking the joints of the connecting section 14 and permitting the sections to fold together.

Then the bearing 19 has reached the top the end drops backwardly against and shoved their fully closedy the support 20 down which it travels during' the remainder -of the folding movement. During this folding move'nent .the lower end of the back to which the strap 35 is connected will swing in against themain section 12, and when the section 12 assumes approximately a vertical position, the stud 34 will slide forwardly 'in the horizontal portion of the slot 33 in the bracket 32, permitting the back to slide backwardly and downwardly against the section 12 and somewhat back of the upholstered top of the sofa seat 7. The spacing bai' 51 engages the inclined face of the latch 52 raising the same against the action of the spring 54 until yit passes by the shoulder of the latch when the entire device is automatically locked in Sofa form.

tions are first .placed in -the sofa frame in their folded iposition with the arms 17 projecting forwardly as shown in Fig. 7, the ends of the arms 17 being attached to the mounting plates 3 by liieaiis of the stud 6. 'llfhe sofa seat v1s then slid between the end members l froln theI front thereof toward the rear, the studs 1S passing on opiosite j ,sides of thearihs 1T until the heade 10 stud 10 passes througlr the mouth 5 and into the fianged recess -L The lifting springr is then attached to the frame ofthe sofa seat' at 56, thereby holding the supporting studs of the sofa frame in the recess -l of the mounting plate 3. The sea't and bed sections-are tlien"rotated forwardly to the position show n in full lines in Fig. 1, at' which time the link 2T may be attached to the depending'lug 2f) ofthe sofa seat frame.4 The heads' 11 on the supporting studs 10 being engaged in this-manner gire additional rigidity tothe. ends 1 of the sofa frame and preventsaid ends from being spread.

In the embodiment shown in Fig-4, the foot, 'connecting section andleg locking members of Fig. l are omitted, thereby inalcing -a. one-iiiotion bed daveiiport. In all other respects the construction and oper:- tion are the saine as the embodiment shown in Fig.`1.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7. a foldable sectional bed bottom. substantially like that shown in Fig. 1` is disposed in an aperture in a wall and is Vso constructed and arranged as to give the appearance of a sofa setclose to the wall.

A latch 59 provided with a push button 6() is mountedin the wall TU. and is arranged to aiitoniatieally lock the bed sections in' foldedrelation in the wall aperture 7s. In this emhodiineiit the leg -lt is operated b v alink 61v attached to the foot connecting section at`62, as best shown in Figs. 1-l and 15. Locking means for the sections .12 and 15am provided in tliclforiii of an arm t'i rigidly mounted on the leg lt and provided at its lower end with axcurved foottl. .A stiid 65 is located on the main section 1;. in position to' guide thecurvial heel of the foot 64, thereby pushing the toe (36 under the end of a locking link (37 which is pivotally mounted on the ,connecting section 14; :'tndlslidably connectial to the section l2 by-:rlieaded stud 6H which vis shaped to travel in an inclined slot tti.

The operation of thisv embodiment is practically the same as that of the embodiment shown'in Fig. 1, except ithat the foot section is partially locked when sa iid section is folded over the iiiaiiisection, bringing the toe- '66 of the foot (il under the end of the locking arm- (i7, and is fully locked when the sectionsare folded to bring the head connecting section 14 at`;substantially right angles to the inain sectidn 12. This folding ill .i l

with a fol larries the pivoted end of: the locking arm upwardly and toward the foot, the other end of the arm passing over and securing said foot as shown in Fig. 1.

The embodiment of Fig. 10 shows how the construction of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 can be mounted in a sofa frame of the form shown in Fili'. 1.

Although several embo iments of this invention a-re herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the constructions shown maybe altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim 1. A- device ofl the class described, coinprising a frame including ends and connecting means therefor, a rotatable-seat disposed between said ends and demountably attached thereto, a foldable sectional bed bottom disposed normally behind said seat and extensible forwardly above said seat in bed position, supporting means for said bed bottom bottom when in its bed position.

'2. In a device of the class described, a frame including ends and connecting m lans therefor, a seat disposed between said ends and pivotally mounted'thereto, said seat having a deep frame and being provided with large upholsteriiig springs, a foldable sectional bed bottom including a plurality of sections disposed normally behind said seat in substantially upright position, and supportingimeans for swinging said bed bottom forwardly from its position `behind the seat, said sealt and supporting means being colurnable about liig'td axes respectively for rotating said seat to an rdgewise position.

2'. ln i dcrice of the class described, a frame in 'hiding ends and connecting means therefor, a seat disposed'between said ends and piro lilly mounted thereon foi rotating forward on edge to its ybed position. incombination i'ith a foldable sectional bed bottom dispo.` d normally behind said seat with. its long setions in a substantially upright position, ai d` means supporting said bed bottom for swinging the same together 'with said seat f iiiwardly to bring said long sections iii a 1 'libstantially horizontal position, above tlie'i pturiied rear edge of said seat.

4. In a levice of the class described.- a frame inclilding ends' and connecting means therefor, a-seat disposed betwcensaid ends and pivota forward toi;

mounted thereon for rotating its bed position. in combination lable sectional bed bottom dislly behind said seat, supporting posed norn v tional bed bottom disposed normally for swinging awfay from said means for said bed bottom having operative connection with said seat for swinging said bed bottom forwardly when said seat is turned forward on its pivot, and means adaptedto urge the seat to swing forward. v

5. In a device of the class described, a frame including ends and connecting means therefor, a seat disposed between and rotatably mounted ony said ends. a foldable sectional bed bottom disposed normally behind said seat, supporting arms for said bed bottom pivotedto said ends ata point above the pivoted mounting of said seat, and connecting means'between said arms and seat said bed bottom forwardly whensaid seat is turned forward on its pivot.

6. 1n a device of the classilescribed, a frame including ends and connecting means therefor, a seat disposed between and rotatably mounted on said ends, a foldable sectional bed bottom disposed normally behind said seat, supporting arms for said bed bottom pivoted to said en ds, connecting means coacting between said arms and seat adapted to cause said bed bottom and said scatto swing forward and back coactively, the pivoted points of said arms and said seat being so disposed relatively to each other that said bed bottom is spaced away from said seat when in its bed form, and is in close' proximity lto said seat whenin its sofa form 7. In a device of the class describef., a frame including ends and connecting moans therefor, a seat disposed between and rotatably mounted on said ends, a foldable secbehind said seat, supporting means pivoted to said ends for holding said bed bottom in close proximity' to the seat when in sofa position, and for holding said bed bottom spaced seat when in bed position, and yconnections between said supporting means and seat for swinging said bed bottom forwardly when said seat is rotated forwardly on its pivots.

8. In a device of the class described, a frame including ends and connecting means therefor, a seat disposed between said ends' and pivotally mounted thereon, a foldable sectional bed bottom disposed normally behind said seat and comprising a main section, a head section, and a connecting section, supporting arms for said main section ivotally mounted on said ends, and a link Joining said connectingr section with said seat.

9. In a device of the class described, a frame including ends and connecting means therefor, a seat disposed between said ends and rotatably mounted thereon, a foldable sectional bed bottom disposed normally behind said seat and comprising a main section, connecting sections on ea h end of said sliding main section, a foot section attached lto one of `said connecting sections, and a head Section attached to the otliei' of said connecting sections, and means for swinging said scat and bed bottom forward coactively to their bed position.

10, ln a device main section` a footsection, ing section. a leg pivoted to one tions. a lock comprising pivoted to the main and foot sections respectively, said .members having connections with eachother and with said leg forl locking said sections together when said leg is ip its completely folded position. and for releasing said sections when said leg is partiallyunfolded.A 4

11. In a device of the class described` a main section, a foot section, and a conncct ing section` a leg pivotcd to one of saidV sections, a lock comprising a pair of members pivoted to the. main and foot sections respeetively, one o iid members being provided with a slot having a recess in the side there of forming a shoulder` and the other of said members having a part thereof shaped to travel in said slot, and means connecting said locking ineinbers,\\'ith said leg for causing` the said part of one locking member to be engaged and secured b v the shoulder of the other locking member when said leg is in its completcl)v folded position. and for unlocking said members when said leg is partially unfolded.

12. ln a device ofl the class described` a frame including ends and connecting means therefor, a seat disposed between said ends and turnably' mounted thereon, a foldablc sectional bed bottom disposed normally behind said seat and comprising a main section, connecting sections on cach end of said main section. a foot section attached to one. of said connecting sections. a head section attached to the other of said connecting sections, means for swinging said seat and bed bottom forward coactivcly to their bed position, and means for locking said foot and main sections together when folded siib stantially parallel-with each other.

13. ln a device of the class described, a frame including ends and coniniocting means therefor, a scat disposed between said ends and pivotally mounted thereon, a foldable sectional bed bottom disposed normally behind said scat and comprising a main scctioii, a l aid section and a connecting section, a bearing on said head section, and cooperating supporting means for said bearing coinpiisiiig a stationary member anda movable meml'ier, said mov: ble member being pivoted at its upper end and having lower end shaped to rest on said stationary member.

14. A foldable sectional bed bottom comprising a pair i foldable together and a connectof said sec7 ol' sections 1n spaced parallel relation, in combination of the class described. a

a pair ofI members.

with a lock including a pair of bars pivoted to saidsections respectively near their adjacent edges, said bars being formed to overlap at all times and having coacting guide means including a pair of shoulders 'on said bars respectively, and means for turning said bars to throw said shoulders into lockving 4engagement when the sections are nected to the lower front part of said fram;

for turning forwardly, in combination with a foldable sectional bed bottom disposed normally in .upright folded position behindsaid seat member, o nc of the sections having a pairA of arms,l one at each side, whereon said section is swingable forwardly to its bed position, each of said arms being turna'bly connected to said frame somewhat above and forward of the seat turning axis, means onsaid frame for supporting the inner par-t of the bed bottom turnably, and a. pair of links, one on each side, each having its. ends turnably connected to the rear,l

upper part of said seat member and to an adjacent part of the bed bottom respectively land slidably for supporting the latter, said seat and arms being formed a'` d arranged fori co-turning to and from be positionll y,

17. An article of convertible furniture comprising a support including end members. spaced apart, in combination with a sectional bed bottom mounted foldably between said end members, a seat mounted overturnably between said endif members,

coacting means operat-ivelyt` connecting said bed bottom and seat whereby Vthe overturning and restoring movenrents of the latter are dependent upon the correspending forward and rearward movements of the former respectively, said bed bottpm and seat having relative movement. l,

18. An article of convertible furniture comprising a support including end members lspaced apart, in combination with a sectional bed bottom mounted foltlably between said end members, coacting'means on said support and bed bottom respectively for supporting and guiding the latter, a seat mounted overturnably between` said end members, coacting means on said support and seat' for supporting the. latter, and means' operatively connecting said 'bed bottom and seat whereby the overturning and restoring movements of the latter are dependent upon the corresponding forward and rearward movements of the former respectively, said bed bottomvand seat having relative movement. i

Signed at Chicago this 17th day of July WILLIAM E. HANN. 

